“For our Christmas service, we’ll have the Inspirational Singers with Eddie Parris come in and sing throughout the mass,” said Archbishop Vincent Waterman. “They would sing during the communion. It’s liberal, so they would sing something that suits the occasion.

“These people, the Inspirational Singers, belong to other churches but they join with Eddie Parris to sing at our church on Christmas Eve.”

St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church at 34 Hankard St. has an interesting story behind it.

When the Dominion Steel Company was searching for workers for its new steel plant in Sydney at the turn of the 20th century, African-American workers were recruited, beginning in 1899, and were subsequently followed by workers from the Caribbean during the First World War.

Because of the racial intolerance that was prevalent at the time, these newcomers were not welcomed at the various churches in Whitney Pier, so they decided to meet their spiritual needs on their own terms, becoming part of the African Orthodox Church in 1921.

At first, the small congregation met in a building at the corner of Henry and Fisher streets, later moving to the corner of Victoria Road and Mount Pleasant Street. In 1925, land was purchased on Hankard Street and a former tool shed was donated by the Dominion Steel Company and eventually renovated to become St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church. When fire destroyed the original structure, a new building — the same building where worship takes place today — rose from the ashes in 1945.

Like many churches in Cape Breton these days, outmigration has affected membership, but the holidays generally swell the ranks of parishioners.

“The attendance is sometimes not very encouraging,” said Waterman. “Sometimes we have 20-25 people, and sometimes we are down to 16.”

Things change for the better over the holidays, with people coming home from all over the country to be with their extended families for Christmas. And the general public is more than welcome to come to the church at any time of year, and especially during holiday services, said Waterman.

“If people want to visit the church, especially during this season, and offer up a prayer for a loved one, come on in. It won’t cost you anything. If you want to put something in the plate, you can, but if you can’t, it shouldn’t hinder you from coming,” he said.

“We’re just glad to have you. And bring your voice with you, because you are going to sing. When the Inspirational Singers get happy, we have a good time.”

The Christmas Eve service at St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the New year’s Eve service begins at 6 p.m.